LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to award central contracts to 33 players in five categories with a 25 percent increase in their monthly stipend. The list of new central contracted players will be announced probably by next week after completion of the necessary procedure. Besides the players, 10 best umpires – included six on the ICC panel of umpires – and three referees will also get central contracts. The list of players was finalised by a four-member committee comprising of chief selector Inzamamul Haq, head coach Mickey Arthur, Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmad and PCB director cricket Haroon Rasheed. The committee met here the other day and sent its recommendations to PCB chairman Najam Sethi for the final approval. Moreover,, the annual ceremony of awarding the awards to the best players, referee, umpire, curator, groundsman will be held in Karachi on Wednesday. Published in Daily Times, August 4th 2018.